Run to the racks: Season preview today
Every year, I tell you sparse few non-subscribers out there: if you're a football fan, this is absolutely the best day of the year to go find a St. Petersburg Times. Our special season preview section is in there today -- along with our local high school football season preview as well -- with a cover that looks at the state's Champions: Past (FSU), Present (Florida) and Future? (USF).
Sure, you can get all the content right here for free, but it takes a really good section to make me prouder than I am the day our tabs come out. If you don't usually get the Times, go find a rack, steal your neighbor's, take a quarter or two and give it a try. Having lobbied for your hard-earned pocket change, I'll commence with the free links.
First, you have our USF season preview, about how the Bulls' days of surprising opponents are long gone. With that, you get our take on USF's three-point plan for world dominance. There's team notes, like how Greg Gregory doesn't want you to call his offense a "spread" offense. Don't forget the For the Fans rail, with all the basic info you need. Taurus Johnson is our One to Watch -- there's down-to-the-second YouTube directions there -- and Jessie Hester is our Breakout Player, though we could have gone a lot of ways with that. There's a shorter position-by-position breakdown as well.
Want Big East info? We offer our predicted finish -- USF's still third -- and some Big East notes, like how the four-home-games, three-road-games thing is kind of overrated. It's all there in our season preview, along with just as much stuff for the Gators and Seminoles and previews on state programs like Florida A&M, Bethune-Cookman and, yes, Central Florida.
Stop reading here, go find a rack. Let me know if you're disappointed.
(Times photo -- Chris Zuppa)
Times sportswriter Greg Auman, who covers USF, will post news and thoughts on the Bulletin and we invite your participation in the comments area.
Greg,your dedication to your job is nothing short of amazing.I hope your well compensated.Thanks for the great info.
Posted by: nickdelray | August 31, 2007 at 10:58 AM
It's good stuff. I agree with all of your picks (who to watch and breakout player included), but I noticed you have Nate Allen listed as a Redshirt Freshman again in your position-by-position breakdown.
Posted by: Ryan | August 31, 2007 at 01:59 PM
An astute observation, Ryan. Mea culpa on that one. Nice catch.
Posted by: G.A. | August 31, 2007 at 02:11 PM
Very good coverage as always. And I do think we are 10 times better than Elon.
Posted by: Dave | August 31, 2007 at 02:45 PM
Greg, great update. Just one question, what time does the Elon game start?
Posted by: Kissimmeeslim | August 31, 2007 at 02:54 PM
Slim, it's a 7:05 start
Posted by: Astro | August 31, 2007 at 03:00 PM
Greg,
Thanks from an out of towner (Philly). Coming home for the UNC and WVU games and am a loyal times reader.
Go Bulls!
Posted by: BA | August 31, 2007 at 03:06 PM
I'm so excited about this season.
Posted by: Ted | August 31, 2007 at 07:30 PM
Greg,
I'd like to publically apologize to you for mildly critical remarks I've made on your blog and far more critical remarks I've made about you on another forum about some arrest stories and blog entries you penned in the last six months or so. Overall your journalistic contributions about USF athletics have been vastly positive, informative, and benefical to USF. I thank you for all you hard work and entusiasm for your craft.
Strong
Posted by: BadA$$Bull | August 31, 2007 at 07:41 PM
Strong, thanks much. I appreciate the kind words.
Posted by: G.A. | August 31, 2007 at 08:22 PM
Greg does an excellent job...if he didn't report the bad news along with the good he wouldn't be doing his job. Too many thin skinned people around 4202 East Fowler.
Enjoy your time off Greg.
Posted by: Al | August 31, 2007 at 09:46 PM